Subway Yard Job Sites Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Subway yards and maintenance depots built before the 1980s often contained asbestos in trains, repair shops, and supporting facilities. Subway cars used asbestos in brakes, clutches, gaskets, insulation, and electrical systems. Yards and shops housed boilers, turbines, and piping wrapped with asbestos materials, while buildings were constructed with asbestos tiles, roofing, and cement panels. During train repairs, equipment maintenance, and renovations, asbestos fibers were disturbed and released into the air.

Subway mechanics, electricians, engineers, maintenance crews, and yard workers faced daily asbestos exposure without being warned of the dangers. Inhaled asbestos fibers can remain in the lungs for decades, causing deadly diseases such as:

• Mesothelioma
• Asbestos-related lung cancer
• Asbestosis

Subway Yard Job Sites – What You’ll Learn From This Page:

• Asbestos was used in brakes, clutches, insulation, and piping.

• Workers were exposed during train repairs and shop maintenance.

• Subway yard buildings contained asbestos in flooring, roofing, and adhesives.

• Poor ventilation in shops allowed asbestos fibers to linger in the air.

• Subway yard employees diagnosed with asbestos disease may qualify for compensation.

Estimated Number of People Exposed to Asbestos in U.S. Subway Yards

Total Estimated Exposure:
Over 480,000 people were exposed at subway yard job sites.

Facts About Asbestos in Subway Yards

• Subway cars used asbestos in brakes, clutches, and electrical components.
• Asbestos Exposure: Boilers, turbines, piping, insulation, and floor tiles.
• Asbestos-Related Disease Risk: High among mechanics and maintenance crews.
• Dusty repair shops created long-term fiber exposure for workers.
• Similar Occupations: Railroad workers, auto mechanics, and shipyard crews.

History of Asbestos Use in Subway Systems

From the early 20th century through the 1970s, asbestos was considered vital for subway operations due to its fireproofing and heat-resistant properties. Subway cars contained asbestos brakes, clutches, and insulation, while repair shops and yard buildings used asbestos cement, tiles, and roofing.

Repairs, overhauls, and renovations disturbed these materials, filling subway yards with airborne fibers. Workers and surrounding communities were also exposed when asbestos dust escaped through ventilation systems and waste disposal.

Mesothelioma Risk in Subway Yard Job Sites

Exposure risks included:

• Repairing asbestos brakes, clutches, and gaskets on subway cars
• Servicing boilers, turbines, and piping in maintenance shops
• Renovations in asbestos-containing flooring, walls, and ceilings
• Grinding and sanding asbestos components during train overhauls
• Cleaning asbestos dust from yard facilities and tunnels
• Wearing asbestos gloves and blankets during high-heat tasks

These exposures created severe health risks for subway yard employees and their families.

Asbestos Materials Found in Subway Yards

• Brakes and Clutches – Contained asbestos friction materials.

• Boilers and Turbines – Wrapped in asbestos insulation.

• Piping and Valves – Lagged with asbestos insulation and gaskets.

• Electrical Panels and Wiring – Contained asbestos for fire resistance.

• Floor and Ceiling Tiles – Installed in shops and control rooms.

• Roofing and Siding Panels – Made from asbestos cement.

• Protective Gear – Gloves and blankets woven with asbestos fibers.

Who Was Exposed in Subway Yards

• Mechanics – Repaired asbestos-filled brakes, clutches, and gaskets.

• Electricians – Worked with asbestos-insulated wiring and panels.

• Engineers and Operators – Oversaw trains and yard operations.

• Maintenance Crews – Replaced asbestos insulation on boilers and piping.

• Custodians – Cleaned asbestos dust in shops and tunnels.

• Nearby Residents – Inhaled asbestos fibers spread from subway yards.

Types of Subway Yard Sites With Asbestos Risk

• Maintenance Shops – Contained asbestos in boilers, piping, and flooring.

• Storage Yards – Exposed workers handling asbestos-laden trains.

• Subway Car Overhaul Shops – Released fibers during grinding and sanding.

• Control Buildings – Built with asbestos flooring, ceilings, and roofing.

• Power Supply Facilities – Used asbestos insulation in turbines and wiring.

Common Questions About Subway Yard Asbestos Exposure

Can subway yard workers file a claim?
Yes — workers exposed during train and facility maintenance may qualify.

What about subway operators and engineers?
Yes — they were often exposed inside asbestos-insulated cars and yards.

Are families of workers at risk?
Yes — asbestos carried home on clothing caused secondary illnesses.

Do residents near subway yards face risks?
Yes — asbestos dust often spread into surrounding communities.

Can families pursue wrongful death lawsuits?
Yes — survivors of workers lost to asbestos illness may qualify.

How a Mesothelioma Attorney Can Help

An experienced lawyer can:

• Investigate subway yard job history and facility records
• Identify asbestos exposure sources in trains and buildings
• File asbestos trust fund claims or lawsuits
• Assist families with personal injury and wrongful death cases
• Work on contingency (no fee unless you win)

Free Legal Help for Subway Workers and Families

If you or a loved one worked in a subway yard and now face a mesothelioma or asbestos-related diagnosis, help is available.

Call Now: 800.291.0963
• No upfront costs
• No legal fees unless we win
• Exposure investigation included
• Support for families, retirees, and secondhand victims

Or request help online 24/7